Both companies are privately held.

The agreement is another example of consolidation in the Ethernet switching marketplace as Cisco maintains its dominance and Juniper ramps up its presence in the market. Last year saw Foundry Networks , and Enterasys Networks link up with .

( on the hottest tech M&A deals of 2008.)

The combined companies will have more than 1,300 customers worldwide and a product portfolio they say will serve both the enterprise and service provider markets through existing sales channels. The merged company will carry the Force 10 Networks name.

Henry Wasik, president and CEO of Turin Networks, will become the president and CEO of the combined entity. Current Force10 Networks President and CEO James Hanley will assume the role of president, field operations, with responsibility for sales, marketing, services and business development.